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5hassay
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Homework Statement
How far would the fourth maximum be from the central maximum, provided the distance between maxima is [tex] 6. \times 10^{-3} m [/tex] and this is double-slit light interference?
Homework Equations
See solution.
The Attempt at a Solution
It is known that the central maximum in double-slit light interference is the central bright band on the screen.
Using the notation mth maximum (not mth-order maximum), the central maximum would be the first maximum (m=1) and the fourth maximum (m=4) would be the third maximum away.
It is known that the distance between adjacent nodal lines (minima -- destructive interference) is defined as,
[tex] \Delta x = \frac{\lambda L}{d} [/tex]
This is equal to the distance between adjacent maxima.
So, because there is three equal spaces between adjacent nodal lines from the central maximum to the fourth maximum (using mth maximum notation):
[tex] x_{m} = (m - 1) \Delta x [/tex]
, where, xm is the distance from the mth maximum to the centre, and m is the mth maximum.
Therefore:
[tex] x_{4} = (4 - 1) \times 6. \ast 10^{-3} m [/tex]
[tex] x_{4} = 2. \ast 10^{-2} m [/tex]
I feel like there is some terminology in there this in incorrect, even though I am using what two texts state. Maybe I am getting confused, but I would greatly appreciate to know if I did this correctly with the correct statements and terminology. Similarly, if I did not, I would equally appreciate knowing what I am doing wrong.
Thanks! :)